Page:The Writings of Prosper Merimee-Volume 5.djvu/47

Rh by the Russians kourgâne), a very noted one in that country, because formerly poets and magicians (they are one and the same thing) gathered there on certain special occasions.

" I have a very quiet horse to offer you," he said. " I regret that I can not take you by carriage, but, upon my word, the road we go by is not fit for carriages."

I would rather have stopped in the library taking my notes, but I could not express any wish contrary to that of my generous host, and I accepted. The horses were waiting for us at the foot of the steps in the courtyard, where a groom held a dog in leash.

" Do you know much about dogs. Pro- fessor? " said the Count, stopping for a minute and turning to me.

" Hardly anything. Your Excellency."

" The Staroste of Zorany, where I have prop- erty, sent me this spaniel, of which he thinks highly. Allow me to show him to you." He called to the groom, who came up with the dog. He was indeed a beautiful creature. The dog was quite used to the man, and leapt joyfully and seemed full of life; but when within a few yards of the Count he put his tail between his legs and hung back terrified. The Count patted him, and at this the dog set up a dismal howl.